Scouring pad



Aug. 16, 1960 M. s. srElNl-:R

SCOURING PAD Filed June 5, 1956 SCOURNG PAD Max S. Steiner, 200 E.Chestnut St., Chicago, Ill. Filed June 5, 1956, Ser. No. 589,538

8 Claims. (Cl. 15-209) This invention relates to improvements inscouring pads and it consists of the matters hereinafter described andmore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No.358,464, led May 29, 1953, now abandoned.

There have been many widely different types of such articles heretoforeproposed. Notwithstanding the many such devices heretofore proposed,they are still lacking in certain desirable characteristics.

Some of the scouring pads heretofore designed are composed of metallicstrands compacted or felted to form a pad. Such pads are `open to anumber of objections, one of which is danger of splintering and therebyinjuring the hand of the user. Best results are obtained when suchmetallic pads Ihave embodied therein a soap which, when subjected towater, will act to loosen the matter on the surface of the pan or otherobject. However, when such metallic pads are directly gripped in thehand the tendency is to press them too tightly and thereby squeeze thesoap out `of the pad at a too rapid rate. Hence, the pad prematurelyloses its soap content.

Certain other types of scouring pads comprising woven fabric of variousplastic compositions have been designed. These materials have certaindesirable characteristics in that they are of a sanitary nature, beingnonabsorbent, and also of such a character as not to injure the hands ofthe user. Nevertheless, pads made only of such plastic material are notas effec-tive to polish the surfaces of cooking utensils as are padswhich include metallic material. In order to be effective to remove foodand other products that adhere to pots and pans such scouring pads aregenerally made of an open Weave which is not adapted to hold or retainsoap in the way the cornpact metallic pad contines it.

In order to obtain the most efficient results, it is desirable that thepad also include a soap mass, so that when used with water the soap masswill give off a small amount to be effective to loosen the material onthe surface of the pot or pan; that there be an open weave or knitportion so disposed as to provide the major surface which contacts thesurface to be cleaned and which is effective to strike or shear off thelarger adhering food or other particles; and that there be a metallicpad-like mass of the order of metal wool which is sodisposed thatportions thereof can be brought into contact with the surface to becleaned or polished and yet be so arranged as to be largely protected bythe open weave or knit portion.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a pad of thiskind which may be easily used, which will ei'liciently clean pots andpans, which may be readily kept in a sanitary condition and which, whileembodying metallic material of the `order of metal wool, will be soformed as not to injure the hand of the user when it is grasped in thenormal manner for use and which will be so formed that the metallicelement or metal wool pad may be readily removed and inserted.

Patented Aug; 16, .-19%0 Another object of the invention is to provide apad of this type in which the outer member or element will be composedof an open mesh strand fabric, preferably knitted and shaped in the formof an envelope, having a yielding restriction permitting the insertionand removal of a metallic wool mass, whereby ythe metallic wool mass maybe effective to engage the surface to be cleaned and yet the pad may begrasped by the user without the hand coming into engagement with themetallic wool mass.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a composite cleaningor scouring pad composed of an external envelope formed of an open meshfilament and an internal compact pad of metallic strands, said metallicpad embodying therein a soap, so that, when the pad is used with water,soapy material Will ow through the open strands and be effective tosof-ten the food or other material on the surface to be cleaned, therebyincreasing the effectiveness of the open mesh filaments for foreignmatter removal.

Still another object of Ithe invention is to provide a pad of this typein which the outer member or element will be composed of an open meshplastic strand fabric shaped in the form of an envelope havin-g ayielding restriction permitting the insertion and removal of a metallicmass, whereby the metallic mass may be effective to engage the surface-to be cleaned and yet the pad may be grasped by the user without thehand ccming into engagement with the metallic mass.

The above-mentioned objects of the invention along with others, as wellas the advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specificationproceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a -diagrammatic view showing one form of open strandmaterial -or fabric of which the outer envelope of the pad may be made;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the completed pad, of -a preferred form ofthe invention, comprising an outer envelope formed of open weavematerial of the type shown in Figure l, and including an interior ratherfelted mass formed of metallic strands;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the metallic pad which is tdesigned tobe removably insertable into the open weave or knitted envelope.

Referring now in det-ail to the specific embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the drawings, lthe outer envelope of the improved pad ismade of an open mesh s-trand fabric 10. Such a fabric may be produced bya knitting machine, or in any other suitable Way, so that no claim ismade to the fabric or weave itself, except that it should be of an openorder.

In order to produce the envelope shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the -open meshknitted fabric of Figure l can be conveniently made in the form of apiece of tubing and then manipulated so as to form the pad structuregenerally of the 4order disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,500,715,excepting that the strands 10 may be composed either of metal or ofplastic material. The plastic material is preferably one which will notabsorb water or soapy material. As an example of the most suitableplastic materials, reference may be made to the copolymers of vinylidenechloride and vinylchloride. l have discovered that :stretched orientedfilaments formed of polystyrene, which differs in many respects from thevinylidene chloride polymers, may be used for the external envelope.fFo-r its cross-sectional size it is not as strong as the vinylidenechloride polymers, so that an oriented filament is even more desirablethan with the o vinylidene chloride polymers, particularly when thefabbreakage. An advantage of polystyrene is that because of its lesserspecific gravity there is more filament per pound so that the cost perpad is somewhat less. These plastics, however, are by way ofillustration and not by way of limitation, as other suitable plasticmaterials may be used.

The pad 11, shown in Fig. 4, is formed of a compact mass of fine metalstrands such, for example, as steel wool or copper, preferablyimpregnated with a soapy material. The envelope 12, shown in Figs. 2 and3, `contains an opening 13 in the form of a restriction caused by theelastic band 14 which draws one side 15 of the envelope taut. Because ofthe elastic band 14, the opening 13 may be enlarged to permit theinsertion and removal of pads such as 11. With the metallic pad 11disposed interiorly, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, it is possible for theuser to grip the pad ou either side without danger of the hand comingforcibly in contact with the fine metallic strands of the metal wool pad11, since the outermost surface of the metallic wool pad is normallyslightly below the outermost adjacent surface of the envelope whichcomprises strands of larger cross section and which are not so likely tosplinter and injure the hand. j

By gripping the specific composite pad structure on the side containingthe opening, which for mere convenience will be termed the top, thebottom may be moved across the surface to be cleaned. When used in thisway, some soapy material will flow to the surface to be cleaned but,because of the several layers of open fabric positioned at the bottom,there is no direct contact between the interior metallic wool pad andthe surface to be cleaned. Because the composite pad is normally ofgreater size relative to the metallic wool pad it can be gripped andapplied adequately with less pressure. Hence, there is not the samelikelihood of applying such unnecessary pressure as would tend toexpress from the metallic wool pad more soap than is actually necessaryfor a given cleaning operation.

When it is desired to apply the metallic wool pad material directly tothe surface to be cleaned or polished, the composite pad can be grippedso that the bottom will rest in the palm of the hand. Pressure againstthe surface to be cleaned will then cause that part of the metallic woolpad, defined by the opening 13, to be brought into contact with thesurface being cleaned. A suitable polishing action, such as metallicwool strands are adapted to perform, may then be had.

If desired, the metallic wool pad 11 may be removed, reversed, andreplaced as long as it remains useful, being primarily dependent uponthe time when its soap content is exhausted. At that time it may bereadily removed, disposed of, and replaced by a new metallic wool pad.It is thus possible to use the external open mesh envelope for a numberof the internal metallic cleaning pads, and to effect the economy whichsuch use makes possible.

The open mesh relatively larger strands are effective to scrape away orremove the larger particles of material that may have adhered to thesurface of the pot or pan to be cleaned, and may be gripped by the handwithout danger of injury by metal particles or slivers which is possiblewhen directly gripping the metallic wool pad.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that on one side theinternal pad is entirely enclosed by the envelope and that there are anumber of layers of strand material in the shape of a roll ofsubstantial thickness. On the other hand, there are but two layers ofstrands adjacent 'or surrounding the elastic opening 13. `For thisreason the adjacent surface 13a of the interior metallic pad liesrelatively close to the surface of the envelope and may be, therefore,brought into contact with the pan or other surface to be cleaned withoutapplying excessive pressure.

While the envelope is preferably formed as illustrated, it need not beof that particular design. Some of the advantages of the invention maybe attained by envelopes of other particular constructions. However, itis requisite to the accomplishment of the objects of the invention thatthere be an opening at, at least one end, and preferably at one endonly, to enable placement and removal of the metallic pad, and also toenable contact of a portion of the metallic pad with the surface to becleaned or polished. For example, a tube may be formed of open meshmaterial closed permanently vat one end by drawing it together with astring or other inelastic tie member and then providing an elastic bandat the other end which will serve partially to draw that end together.This will permit the placement of the metallic pad in and removal fromthe envelope thus formed. It will also permit one portion o-f themetallic pad surface to be brought into contact with the surface to becleaned or polished. If desired, the open mesh tube may be madeinitially substantially twice as long as desired in the finishedenvelope, the material rolled back upon itself to form a tube half aslong, but with two layers, a rubber band having been inserted at thefold-back end. The free end could then be tied together to close thatend entirely and the rubber band at the opposite end would serve torestrict the tube, thus forming an elastic restriction at that end.

Not only does the open fabric envelope serve the several useful purposesalready described, but it also serves the further important function ofpreventing the metallic wool pad, which is of a somewhat loose compactednature, from spreading apart and disintegrating prematurely.

While some of the advantages of the invention may be obtained by placingthe metallic wool pad within an open mesh envelope of the typedescribed, for some purposes it is preferable to fabricate the envelopefrom strands of plastic material which is generally not quite as hard asmetal, but sufficiently hard to remove the larger particles of food orforeign matter since the metal wool pad is available to remove harderparticles and to polish burned surfaces and the like. Furthermore,plastic strands can be obtained in a variety of colors which increasesthe attractiveness of the scouring pad without decreasing itseffectiveness or increasing its cost.

It is believed the many advantages of the novel composite pad hereindisclosed will be obvious to those familiar with this subject withoutthe necessity of further comment.

I claim:

1. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic fibres, said external envelope having at leastone extensible restrictive opening through which said internal pad maybe inserted and removed, and which opening serves to expose a portion ofthe surface of the metallic pad unobstructed by the strands of theplastic fabric, the exposed surface of said metallic pad being disposedin a plane which is not outwardly of the plane of the outer surface ofthe adjacent top part of the external envelope.

2. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic fibres, said external envelope having at leastone elastic extensible restrictive opening through which said internalpad may be inserted and removed, and which opening serves to expose aportion of the surface of the metallic pad unobstructed by the strandsof the plastic fabric, the exposed surface of said metallic pad beingdisposed in a plane which is inwardly of the plane of the outer surfaceof the adjacent part of the external envelope.

3 A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic libres, said external envelope having asubstantially closed bottom and an extensible restrictive opening at thetop through said internal pad may be inserted and removed, and whichopening serves to expose a portion of the surface of the metallic padunobstructed by strands of the plastic fabric, the exposed surface ofsaid metallic pad being disposed in a plane which is not outwardly ofthe plane of the outer surface of the adjacent top part of the externalenvelope.

4. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalsoap loaded pad formed of metallic libres, said external envelope havingat least one extensible restrictive opening through which said internalpad may be inserted and removed, and which opening serves to expose aportion of the surface of the metallic pad unobstructed by the strandsof the plastic fabric, the exposed surface of said metallic pad beingdisposed in a plane which is not outwardly of the plane of the outersurface of the adjacent top part of the external envelope.

5. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic libres, said external envelope having asubstantially closed bottom and an elastic extensible restrictiveopening at the top through which said internal pad may be inserted andremoved, and which opening serves to expose a portion of the surface ofthe metallic pad unobstructed by strands of the plastic fabric, theexposed surface of said metallic pad being disposed in a plane which isnot outwardly of the plane of the outer surface of the adjacent top partof the external envelope.

6. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic fibres, said external envelope having asubstantially closed bottom composed of a plurality of layers of plasticfabric, and an extensible restrictive opening at the top through whichsaid internal pad may be inserted and removed.

and which opening serves to expose a poition of the surface of themetallic pad unobstructed by strands of the plastic fabric, there beinga lesser number of layers of plastic fabric at the top than at thebottom, whereby the surface of the metallic pad is closer to the outsidesurface of the envelope at the top than it is at the bottom, saidexposed surface of said metallic pad being disposed in a plane which isnot outwardly of the plane of the outer surface of the adjacent top partof the external envelope.

7. The arrangement set forth in claim 6 in which the internal metallicpad includes a soap.

8. A composite cleaning and polishing device comprising in combination,an external envelope formed of open mesh plastic fabric, and an internalpad formed of metallic fibres, said external envelope having asubstantially closed bottom composed of a plurality of layers of plasticfabric, and an extensible restrictive opening at the top through whichsaid internal pad may be inserted and removed, and which opening servesto expose a portion of the surface of the metallic pad unobstructed bystrands of the plastic fabric, there being a lesser number of layers ofplastic fabric at the top than at the bottom, whereby the surface of themetallic pad is closer to the outside surface of the envelope at the topthan it is at the bottom, the exposed surface of said metallic pad beingdisposed in a plane which is inwardly of the plane of the outer surfaceof the adjacent top part of the external envelope, but not inwardly ofthe innermost surface of the layers of plastic material at the top.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,689,207 Kingman Oct. 30, 1928 1,697,499 Field Jan. l, 1929 2,500,715Steiner Mar. 14, 1950 2,601,771 Cameron July l, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS423,885 Germany Jan. 14, 1926 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TTFICATE 0FCORRECTION CE Patent No. 2,9489l1 August lv 1960 Max S; Steiner It isherebr certified that error appears n the-printed specification of theabove :numbered patent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

Column 5y line 5i1 after "through" insert which n Signed and sealed this4th day of April 1961a (SEAL) Attest; ERNEST W.

XXXAX ARTHUR W. CROCKER Attesting Oficer Acting Commissioner of Patents

